Sutton Gardens is one of the leading senior living and assisted living communities in the New York metro area. Our healthcare experts receive hundreds of questions monthly from concerned family members and prospective patients about when to consider assisted living.

Moving to an assisted living facility is a life-changing decision for most people with special needs and memory-care requirements. According to research data from Consumer Affairs, around 2% of the senior population in America resides in assisted living communities. The demand for new elderly living units will grow from 30,000 to over 1,000,000 before 2040.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a residential arrangement for seniors and people with special needs. In this living situation, trained caregivers and healthcare professionals help patients accomplish daily activities, like eating and cleaning themselves. An assisted living community creates a supportive social and cultural environment that will maximize its patients’ independence for as long as possible.

At Sutton Gardens, we care for many seniors and special-needs patients who have been exhibiting aggressive behaviors for years. Going into our care helps these patients’ families prevent deteriorating relationships, avoidant behaviors, and verbal abuse.

We also care for patients with illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and personality disorders. If you notice a cycle of aggressive behaviors in a family member, especially if they are elderly, that’s when to consider assisted living.

What Are the Benefits of Assisted Living?

Lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory illnesses are controllable in their early stages. However, as people age, their bodies weaken. People gradually lose the ability to fight viruses, kill bacteria, and stave off events like stroke.

Chronic diseases will progress as people grow old, and their independence will require more care and financing. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average price of assisted living is about $4,500 per month. Many families pay upwards of $10,000 per month to keep their elderly parents at home after a stroke, heart failure, or dementia diagnosis.

An assisted living facility helps people sleep, work, and function regularly while professionals take care of their loved ones who are elderly or have special needs. It also reduces the risk of injury for patients who find it challenging to care for themselves.

When to Choose Assisted Living

Most people want to live independently for as long as possible. Nonetheless, conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s, and even non-specific chronic pain can make unassisted living untenable.

Learning when to consider an assisted living arrangement is often a complex process for family members and legal guardians. Feelings of obligation and guilt can cloud sound judgment.

Here are a few signs that an elderly parent or individual with special needs might require an assisted living arrangement:

They always need reminders to take prescribed pills and treatments.
They can’t clean or maintain their homes well.
They can’t cook meals, groom themselves, or drive without assistance.
They are socially withdrawing and losing interest in hobbies.
They often get lost or become disoriented when they leave home.
Concentration, organization, and planning are increasingly challenging for them.
People often have to repeat questions and stories when talking to them.

What Other Options Are Available?

Patients who want to age in place often rely on:

MAS or medical alert systems with GPS, fall detection, and voice activation.
In-home care where caregivers with no medical training help them with laundry, cooking, errands, and other maintenance activities.
Adult daycare facilities with wellness, social, and recreational activities with no live-in costs.
Short-term respite care services that give guardians a break from their elderly parents or family members with special needs.
Adult foster care with laundry services, daily meals, and paid room and board.

The options above are considerably cheaper than assisted living. However, some don’t offer overnight stays, medication management, and help with personal hygiene. Many people understand when to consider assisted living after looking at these alternatives.

If you’re looking into long-term care facilities or exploring residential care services for you or a loved one, call Sutton Gardens at (718) 461-1923. Our nursing facilities and healthcare experts have over four decades of professional experience. Our team is more than happy to help you through a consultation.